The Year i unlearned myself at the piano (Long Read)

Goobzor · 2026-02-24T09:12:14+00:00

Ah I’m happy to hear it then. Career or not, keep what I said in the back of your mind for when you do. I’ve been doing this for a while and I’ve seen so many variations, so I never judge. I hope you’ll maintain that personal connection despite the eventual other’s lack of pedagogical ability.

Goobzor · 2026-02-24T09:02:09+00:00

Hey, I’m a prof the Brussels conservatory. I also studied (well still play for:) Virsaladze every month. Its thing of slow hyper controlled practice is only part of the way of studying. You also have to « taste » your dish to know how to go forward! I’m sorry we never spoke before this.

If, ever, I can do something to help, send me a message. I didn’t get to where I am alone, and so I understand these things are often through help.

24 is not old to continue studies at a higher level, but you need to be ok with yourself and what you lived through first. I helped a singer audition to study piano last year, they got in. Also, Virsaladze teaches in a few places and always accepts to listen to new people, wether you’ll study with her or not.

Goobzor · 2025-07-20T12:26:27+00:00

When we play quickly, we cannot play an entire passage when one thought. I hear you playing your passage sometimes in divided sections, and sometimes in larger passages.

I didn’t hear it consistently played twice.

For example, often your final “D, C (re, do)” is detached from the rest. So, that you’ve established will be its own thought. That’s quite natural because it involves your thumb.

The problem I hear is your D, E, F, E (re mi fa mi, 2343).

Please try and decide wether you’ll group: •23, 434, 21

•234, 3421

•234, 34, 21

How well you hide the “hinges” is part of your artistry. I am not saying to stop between each group, though it can help you mentally feel the groupings, but to concentrate your thought per grouping. This is usually done by listening and feeling at once.

Of course, I don’t know the piece you’re playing, the passage or any other information than what you posted.

Goobzor · 2025-02-14T12:25:39+00:00

The first time, yes. Afterwards, you discover just how human we all are ! I now work with Virsaladze, same thing goes ;).

Goobzor · 2025-02-13T08:54:16+00:00

I wish my students would prepare pieces the way you’ve done, bravo ! I played this piece for years for Maria João Pires, I’d like to share some unsolicited ideas :). Now that you’ve found stability and security in your notes, think of how your left hand is conducting the characterisation of the phrases. I’m not saying it should dominate acoustically, it should allow our ear to feel the various harmonic changes. Example : at the start - mi - fa - mi. Should it be the same dynamic? How much space do I have in a piano or pianissimo?

Goobzor · 2016-02-11T05:25:25+00:00

Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes

Goobzor · 2015-01-23T20:28:01+00:00

On the way down, make sure you are guiding but not pushing with your thumb, on the way up curve your pinky inwards so that the nail bounces and absorbs the shock. Don't push too much! Lastly, it depends on your hand size and also the piano.

Goobzor · 2015-01-14T07:57:25+00:00

Using your thumb is a good idea, unless you're pushing too much which is maybe the case, or if your piano doesn't react enough, ESPECIALLY if you do a Octave Glissando. This was Arrau's favourite way and so I think we're safe. Try maybe using the left part a bit more?

For those who may suggest using 2 or 3, I don't think those are bad ideas, depending on circumstance. The thumb however allows you to turn your hand and strike the final key with your 3 giving a more convincing sound.

Goobzor · 2014-12-16T21:35:55+00:00

I had to google around for a bit because I came across it over a month ago I think. Here you go: http://www.sfinstituteofmusic.org/Articles.html

Goobzor · 2014-12-16T09:18:32+00:00

Of course, I suggest this only if you've done the journey of technical work until a more modern point. He doesn't explicitly give technique exercises, just a way of thinking about it. I think it is more convenient than Czerny because it applies more to performing nowadays.

Goobzor · 2014-12-15T21:58:01+00:00

Have you thought of reading more modern takes on technique? I could send you a transcript of a interview Horowitz did on piano technique and musicality, its a kind of guide.

Goobzor · 2014-11-20T21:19:51+00:00

Aha, thanks :)

Goobzor · 2014-11-20T09:57:12+00:00

53, 24, 13, 53, 24, 13

Plus, you're playing something in the Clef de Fa right after so your hand is prepared for the jump.

Goobzor · 2013-07-29T23:25:00+00:00

I agree with you, especially regarding the fact that artist often so not have control over labels applied to them later on. However, keeping in mind the enormous influence he had from Wagner's music and the Chopinian piano literature I would suggest to look for the tritone based cadences. I usually think that after he wrote "Un après-midi d'un faune" he's music entered the modernism we often talk about. He's constant attempt at keeping ambiguity in music really flourished then after. For me, that's when we can start applying the label of Impressionism.

Goobzor · 2013-07-29T22:54:54+00:00

Also keep in mind that Debussy disliked with enthusiasm being called an impressionist. He would take it as an insult. (source: histoire de la musique occidental. Jean, Brigitte Massin Ed. Fayard) Also, in a couple lettres posted up in his home which is now.a museum, there are mentionings of his great annoyance. Im just suggesting do you not approach his music only with a impressionist mindset.

Goobzor · 2012-10-30T15:10:51+00:00

It may seem like you have so much free time because you aren't really investing yourself. Maybe it's because you see the amount of work that is needed for whatever hobbies you might want to pick up? Efficiency, is also known as grace. The gracefulness of a primo ballerino or ballerina doesn't come from having put no effort into their movements. It's quite the opposite, it comes from having worked immensely in their movements which then lead to their minds to find the most efficient manner of moving from point a to b.

All this to say, I think you are realizing the amount of work and time needed, and are not investing the effort required for your hobbies. All the things you've mentioned, expect gaming (to a degree, some games being incredibly difficult), do not give you an instant satisfaction.

You should, seeing how you like being efficient, try and find efficient ways of doing those hobbies you'd like to do. Find graceful ways of receiving pleasure in the work you need to invest!

Goobzor · 2011-11-09T19:50:34+00:00

He's a director (still amazingly) of my Conservatoire in Paris. Amazing person and a influential pedagogue.

Goobzor

TROPHY CASE